Have you observed an increase in long-tail keywords recently in Search Console? It's possible that the reason these badly phrased terms keep turning up in keyword research is due to a shift in how people search. Searchers are increasingly using their voices to obtain answers, whether through smartphone search, Google Assistant, or Amazon Echo. As a result, it's vital that you understand how to use voice search SEO to improve your digital marketing outcomes.
Voice search has recently received a lot of media attention. Some marketers refer to it as a burgeoning trend, while others dismiss it as outdated. Which is it, then? Should you keep your ecommerce SEO strategy the same or change it? How will you improve your site for voice search if you take action?
First and foremost, do not be alarmed. Building a responsive website isn't as complex as voice search SEO. Additionally, optimising for spoken search queries enhances search engine optimization for text-based inquiries.
Stay with us and we'll show you how to get more visitors to your website!
When Apple debuted Siri, a smartphone digital assistant that responds to spoken instructions, it converted science fiction into reality. Hal, the chatty computer from 2001: A Space Odyssey, became a reality all of a sudden.
Siri quickly expanded from mobile phones to desktop computers and even the Apple TV Remote.
Google, Amazon, and Microsoft rushed to develop their own voice-activated systems after seeing how voice search was impacting SEO, resulting in Google Home, Alexa, and Cortana.
Do you need to order laundry detergent? "Alexa, please order more Tide," I say.
Do you want to learn more about the finest standing desks? "OK, Google, which standing desks have the best reviews?"
Voice assistants have ushered in a new era in how we go about our business. They can turn on lights, regulate the thermostat, and assist you in channel surfing. Tasks that used to necessitated physical exertion now merely require the sound of our voices. That's not all, though:
They've also altered our interactions with Google search results. Welcome to Google's new voice search world.
Voice search optimization's importance
Voice-activated technology is capable of much more than simple job management. Voice search is quickly becoming the most popular way to find information on the internet. Those kinds of searches are also big business.
Voice-based shopping generates about $2 billion in retail sales in the United States, according to OC&C Strategy Consultants. It's not bad. However, by 2022, that figure is predicted to rise to $40 billion.
Do you think we've got your attention yet?
Smart speakers are used to control a large portion of this shopping. And, despite the fact that millions of people have already purchased a smart speaker, we're only getting started.
A smart speaker is found in about 19 million households. According to the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB), by 2022, 70 million households would own at least one smart speaker. And, to show that this isn't a fleeting craze, Comscore expects that by 2020, voice search will account for 50% of all searches.
All of this has major consequences for business SEO. If you haven't paid attention to voice search SEO, you could be losing a lot of organic search traffic. Voice search is the fastest increasing method of search, according to Google's Behshad Behzadi.
So, how will SEO change in the future, and what can you do to keep on top of it?
Key Points
- The popularity of voice search is continuously growing. According to Comscore, by 2020, voice search will account for 50% of all searches.
- However, optimising for voice search differs from optimising for standard search.
- Simple, clear, and natural language is used by smart devices.
- Because voice search is all about finding the single greatest answer, focus on long-tail keywords that you can actually dominate.
Traditional SEO vs. voice search optimization
Is optimising content for voice search results really that different from optimising content for standard search queries?
Yes, to summarise.
While the fundamentals of search engine optimization remain the same, there are a few things you should be aware of if you want to dominate the Google SERP in a voice-driven world. Let's get started!
1 . it's all about the speed...
a great deal Google is a huge fan of speed. Page speed is a ranking criteria for mobile devices, and the impact of page speed appears to be exacerbated with voice search SEO.
Why?
Because voice search functions similarly to a conversation. When people are having a conversation, they anticipate quick responses to keep the conversation going. The discourse becomes stilted and unpleasant as a result of the delayed answer.
Furthermore, according to Stanford research, humans connect with technology in the same way that they interact with other people. That implies people expect a quick response to voice search queries and will be disappointed if they don't get one.…delay.
If Google thinks that slow pages provide a poor user experience, blazing fast pages will be prioritised instead.
Take action now.
To enhance page load time, make sure your site is mobile-friendly and optimise content. If you don't, Google will most certainly choose reputable rivals that have figured out how to optimise for voice search.
2. Be natural, concise, and clear when speaking.
Natural language processing is used by Google Home, Alexa, Cortana, and Siri to respond to your orders. The responses, for the most part, sound rather human (in terms of phrasing more than voice tone).
Because a substantial proportion of voice searches are common questions, this is the case. Consider the following:
- Which wireless headphones are the best?
- What is the name of North Dakota's capital?
- What is it about Nicolas Cage that makes him such a lousy actor? (No offence meant, Nicolas)
Google makes it clear in their "Evaluation Of Speech Guidelines" document that they want to give voice searchers short, unambiguous responses to their questions.
So, what effect does this have on search engine optimization? If you want to get found in voice searches, you need to give a clear, concise response to the page's main topic.
If you're writing a page about the "benefits of taking turmeric pills," you'll need to respond to that query quickly. Here's an illustration:
Your purpose is straightforward: to completely satisfy a user's request. Simply. And it's obvious.
Take action now.
"I already do that when I target featured snippets in the Google SERPs," you might say. True, but when using voice SEO, you'll need to be lot more concise. Unlike owning the answer box, being brief is more important than being comprehensive when it comes to voice search.
3. Make use of a lot of long-tail keywords.
According to Bing, voice searches are most commonly in the form of phrases, with the typical search being between six and ten words.
Isn't that correct?
Natural speech patterns are followed by verbal searches. For example, rather asking "voice search optimization," ask "how do I optimise my site for voice search."
That implies you should be well-versed on long-tail keywords and how to employ them. Long-tail keywords provide Google a better understanding of your page's context. They provide Google an idea of the page's overall topic and aid the search algorithm in determining whether it fits the query.
Consider trying to discover a reasonably priced apartment to rent in Dallas. In the past, keyword research would have mostly focused on the phrase "Dallas apartments." However, this gives Google no context, and you may be talking about the number of apartments in the municipal limits for all they know.
Take action now.
Include phrases like "affordable downtown Dallas apartments" and "Dallas apartments under $1,000 per month" in your search. The additional information will aid Google in determining the intent of your page while also increasing exposure for natural language keywords.
4 Keep things simple.
You'll have to put your literary goals aside if you want to succeed in voice search SEO.
Why?
Because digital assistants have a proclivity for mispronouncing words. When we try to send a message and Siri absolutely botches the transcription, we've all experienced this. Fortunately, forcing yourself to keep things simple also allows you to deliver more value. This implies there will be less fluff and thin information and more substance.
Take action now.
Be thorough while remaining succinct. The majority of experts recommend aiming for a 9th grade reading level. Yes, your high school English instructor will be dissatisfied, but Google will be overjoyed.
5. The single most appropriate response
With web-based search, search engines provide you with a wide range of options from which to choose. Voice search, on the other hand, is all about the gadget providing the best possible answer. From an SEO standpoint, this means you'll need to pick your battles carefully and then go all out to win and dominate those niches.
Take action now.
Choose keywords that can be answered in one or two sentences. Then, develop practical content that backs up your quick response.
6. use schema markup
Structured data is vital for SEO, but it's even more important for voice search SEO. It's crucial to use Schema markup on your site if you want your FAQ pages to appear in search results. Do you require assistance? Take a look at Google's recommendations and use the structured data markup aid tool.
Take action now.
Use the Google structured data testing tool once your structured data is in place to confirm that search engines can read your material properly.
7 make advantage of technology
Using tools like BuzzSumo Question Analyzer to find the most frequently asked questions across hundreds of thousands of forums, such as Amazon, Reddit, Quora, and Q&A sites.
8 .create a Google My Business account
We've all used voice assistants to locate a nearby business. Consider this scenario: You're driving around looking for a restaurant and you ask Siri, "Hey Siri, are there any Italian restaurants nearby?"
If you're already familiar with localSEO, ranking for location-based voice inquiries should be a piece of cake. If you aren't already paying attention to local search, this could be a great time to step up your SEO game.
Check your keyword research to discover if local results are relevant to your business. If this is the case, create a Google my business listing with your phone number and address so that customers — and voice assistants — can find you.
The bottom line on voice search SEO
Voice search is growing at a breakneck speed that shows no signs of slowing down. As a result, businesses who learn how to optimise content for voice search will have a higher chance of capturing a piece of the $40 billion pie.
Although voice search SEO and traditional and local SEO are related, they are not the same. So, if you want to maximise the impact of your marketing plan, consider how to target those valuable conversational enquiries.